THE INSIDER AUTHORITY ON GATOR SPORTS

Florida Gators Thoughts of the Week: May 26 – June 1

The Florida Gators are playing in the Women’s College World Series, playing in a Super Regional, and are ranked number one in the country in men’s track. It is truly great to be a Florida Gator – like always.

While the Gators fight to close out the athletic year with a potential of three (very legitimate) shots at National Championships, the rest of the Gator coaching staffs are recruiting and helping to build their teams for a chance to win National Titles next season.

I Like Perine

Over the last few years, I haven’t followed recruiting like I used to. It’s a grind and now, everyone switches commitments every third week, I only follow along sparingly until about January.

However, because I am a football junkie, I love watching their highlight tapes – even though most high school tapes are terribly edited.

While Mark Thompson is a good running back commitment, not just because of his last name, Lamical Perine is truly a great back and I think he is much better than his star rankings.

Watching his Hudl tape, you see a few things:

He has great size and is tough to bring down. At 5’11’’, 210-pounds, Perine bowls over a number of defenders in his highlihgts (albeit, many don’t have great tackling form).

He has a great stiff arm.

He has quick feet that allow him to switch direction quickly.

He can catch out of the backfield and has the speed to be effective in (my favorite play) wheel routes.

He keeps his feet constantly moving forward.

Could Perine be as good as his cousin, Samaje Perine who set the single game rushing record as a freshman at Oklahoma? Maybe, but Florida doesn’t need that. Couple him with Jordan Scarlett, Mark Thompson, and Jordan Cronkrite, and perhaps even Adam Lane, and you have a very solid backfield that mixes speed and size – exactly what Jim McElwain needs.

Baseball on Fire

While the Gators softball team is on their way to winning back-to-back National Championships in softball, the Gators baseball team is in the Super Regionals for the first time since 2012.

And how did Florida sweep through their Regionals and win the SEC Championship? Being consistently good-to-great in key categories.

The Gators rank first in the NCAA in fielding percentage, 29th in batting average, 29th in ERA, 21st in home runs, 39th in on-base percentage, 29th in scoring, 21st in slugging percentage, 10th in strikeout-to-walk ratio, 7th in WHIP, and 11th in win/loss percentage.

While some of those numbers don’t seem great, to be consistently highly ranked in pitching, fielding, and hitting, you have the makings of a great team.

Plus, they seem to be really hot right now, winning their SEC Championship and Regional series games a combined 65-16.

Neat Stat

The eight drafted Florida Gators have all now signed contracts – they are worth a combined $48.3 million. All eight contracts were for four years and the highest paid contract was Dante Fowler ($23.5 million) down to Trenton Brown ($2.3 million).

Phil Steele All-Americans

As was reported yesterday, Vernon Hargreaves was listed as a first team All-American. He also listed Antonio Morrison as a third team All-American.

I think that the Hargreaves placement is obviously correct, but honestly, think Morrison is a little highly ranked.

As you all know, Chris Janson is a guy that I’ve told you about for years now and when he continues his rise up the ladder you can be like, “Dan Thompson has told me about this guy for so long that I already know all of his songs.”

Here is are two new songs. Coming on his new album.

About Daniel Thompson

Dan Thompson is a 2010 graduate of the University Florida, graduating with a degree in Economics and a degree in Political Science. During this time at UF, Dan worked three years for the Florida Gator Football team as a recruiting ambassador. Dan dealt daily with prospects, NCAA guidelines, and coaching staff. Dan was also involved in Florida Blue Key, Student Government and Greek Life. Currently, Dan works as an Executive Head Hunter for a Tampa-based company. Dan enjoys golfing, country music, gin, travel, oysters, and a medium-rare steak. Dan has previously covered the Gators extensively on BourbonMeyer.com; on Twitter @DK_Thompson; and as the administrator of TheGatorsDaily.com.

I have a somewhat difference view of the Perine recruitment. At first I was unimpressed b/c so few Power Five offers. Then I watch his highlight film. Perine can play!! The kid has good size, decent speed, catches out of the back field and has power and the ability to change directions. NOW, HERE IS MY CONCERN: The kid is very good. Other schools including Auburn and Alabama will/have noticed and more offers will be coming. Hopefully we can keep this kid. With good health he will be very productive for the Gators.

The Florida Gators are playing in the Women’s College World Series, playing in a Super Regional, and are ranked number one in the country in men’s track. It is truly great to be a Florida Gator – like always.

While the Gators fight to close out the athletic year with a potential of three (very legitimate) shots at National Championships, the rest of the Gator coaching staffs are recruiting and helping to build their teams for a chance to win National Titles next season.

I Like Perine

Over the last few years, I haven’t followed recruiting like I used to. It’s a grind and now, everyone switches commitments every third week, I only follow along sparingly until about January.

However, because I am a football junkie, I love watching their highlight tapes – even though most high school tapes are terribly edited.

While Mark Thompson is a good running back commitment, not just because of his last name, Lamical Perine is truly a great back and I think he is much better than his star rankings.

Watching his Hudl tape, you see a few things:

He has great size and is tough to bring down. At 5’11’’, 210-pounds, Perine bowls over a number of defenders in his highlihgts (albeit, many don’t have great tackling form).

He has a great stiff arm.

He has quick feet that allow him to switch direction quickly.

He can catch out of the backfield and has the speed to be effective in (my favorite play) wheel routes.

He keeps his feet constantly moving forward.

Could Perine be as good as his cousin, Samaje Perine who set the single game rushing record as a freshman at Oklahoma? Maybe, but Florida doesn’t need that. Couple him with Jordan Scarlett, Mark Thompson, and Jordan Cronkrite, and perhaps even Adam Lane, and you have a very solid backfield that mixes speed and size – exactly what Jim McElwain needs.

Baseball on Fire

While the Gators softball team is on their way to winning back-to-back National Championships in softball, the Gators baseball team is in the Super Regionals for the first time since 2012.

And how did Florida sweep through their Regionals and win the SEC Championship? Being consistently good-to-great in key categories.

The Gators rank first in the NCAA in fielding percentage, 29th in batting average, 29th in ERA, 21st in home runs, 39th in on-base percentage, 29th in scoring, 21st in slugging percentage, 10th in strikeout-to-walk ratio, 7th in WHIP, and 11th in win/loss percentage.

While some of those numbers don’t seem great, to be consistently highly ranked in pitching, fielding, and hitting, you have the makings of a great team.

Plus, they seem to be really hot right now, winning their SEC Championship and Regional series games a combined 65-16.

Neat Stat

The eight drafted Florida Gators have all now signed contracts – they are worth a combined $48.3 million. All eight contracts were for four years and the highest paid contract was Dante Fowler ($23.5 million) down to Trenton Brown ($2.3 million).

Phil Steele All-Americans

As was reported yesterday, Vernon Hargreaves was listed as a first team All-American. He also listed Antonio Morrison as a third team All-American.

I think that the Hargreaves placement is obviously correct, but honestly, think Morrison is a little highly ranked.

As you all know, Chris Janson is a guy that I’ve told you about for years now and when he continues his rise up the ladder you can be like, “Dan Thompson has told me about this guy for so long that I already know all of his songs.”

Here is are two new songs. Coming on his new album.

Daniel ThompsonDanielThompsondkthompson7@gmail.comAuthorDan Thompson is a 2010 graduate of the University Florida, graduating with a degree in Economics and a degree in Political Science. During this time at UF, Dan worked three years for the Florida Gator Football team as a recruiting ambassador. Dan dealt daily with prospects, NCAA guidelines, and coaching staff. Dan was also involved in Florida Blue Key, Student Government and Greek Life. Currently, Dan works as an Executive Head Hunter for a Tampa-based company. Dan enjoys golfing, country music, gin, travel, oysters, and a medium-rare steak. Dan has previously covered the Gators extensively on BourbonMeyer.com; on Twitter @DK_Thompson; and as the administrator of TheGatorsDaily.com.GatorCountry.com